Live Photos: Breguet at Baselworld 2014 by JESSICA

Live Photos: Breguet at Baselworld 2014

Jessica

For 2014, our friends at Breguet introduce two mens timepieces and four ladies timepieces. First, with the Classique Tourbillon Quantième Perpétuel 3797, Breguet makes a bold design shift by adding a three-dimensional sapphire crystal chapter disc to the dial. Not only does the opaque disc create a new design element, it is also functional in making the indications more legible.

Then, Breguet reveals the world’s thinnest automatic tourbillon in its Classique Grande Complication Tourbillon Extra-Thin 5377.

Finally, Breguet expands its selection of haute joaillerie (high jewellery) and casual mechanical timepieces for ladies with the Secret de la Reine, Les Volants de la Reine, Classique 9068 and Reine de Naples Princesse.

Classique Tourbillon Quantième Perpétuel 3797
Breguet’s Classique Tourbillon QP 3797 is its most daring design, and yet it retains all the classical design codes unique to Breguet. On the dial, Breguet adds a three-dimensional opaque hours and minutes chapter disc. Lifting the hours and minutes from the dial not only adds a modern and sophisticated design element, but also enhances legibility.

The opaque sapphire crystal disc is painted with Roman numerals and fitted with Breguet hands in blued steel. Beneath the disc, an engine-turned hobnail pattern decorates the dial, overarched by the semi-circular scale of the retrograde date.

A one-minute tourbillon is at 6 o’clock and is mounted on a slight dome. Despite the curve, its bridge is delicately chamfered and surmounted by a triple hand for the seconds. The day is indicated by an instantaneous hand in the subdial at 9 o’clock. The engine-turning is in a gorgeous wave pattern. The month and leap year are indicated in the subdial at 3 o’clock. The engine-turning is in a shimmering sunburst pattern.

Turning the watch over reveals exquisite hand-engraved baseplate. The Classique Tourbillon QP 3797 is available with a 41mm platinum or rose gold case and is fitted with the Calibre 558QP2 manually wound movement with tourbillon and perpetual calendar.

Classique Tourbillon Quantième Perpétuel 3797 in platinum

Calibre 558QP2 manually-wind movement with tourbillon and perpetual calendar

Classique Tourbillon Quantième Perpétuel 3795
The Classique Tourbillon QP 3795 is the skeletonised version of the 3797. The dial vanishes to reveal the movement’s construction and its lace-like engravings on the bridges. The Classique Tourbillon QP 3795 is available with a 41mm platinum or rose gold case and is fitted with the Calibre 558QP3 manually wound movement with tourbillon and perpetual calendar.

Classique Tourbillon Quantième Perpétuel 3795 in rose gold with skeleton dial

Calibre 558QP3 manually-wind movement with tourbillon and perpetual calendar

Classique Grande Complication Tourbillon Extra-Thin 5377
Breguet’s Classique Tourbillon Extra-Thin features an off-centred tourbillon in a titanium carriage. The 42mm x 7mm platinum case frames an 18-carat gold dial that is engine-turned in four patterns. The Calibre 581DR movement is 3mm thin due to its peripheral rotor that winds in both directions. The self-winding movement is also fitted with a non-magnetic silicon balance spring and an escapement made of silicon and non-magnetic steel, enabling it to reach a high frequency of 4Hz. Despite beating at a high rate, there is no loss of power reserve due to the patented high-energy barrel mounted on roller bearings. This sophisticated barrel results in a 90-hour power reserve.

Classique Grande Complication Tourbillon Extra-Thin 5377 in platinum

Calibre 581DR is the world’s thinnest self-winding tourbillon

The platinum peripheral rotor of the Breguet Calibre 581 DR

Classique Grande Complication Tourbillon Extra-Thin 5377 in rose gold

The platinum peripheral rotor of the Breguet Calibre 581 DR

Breguet Calibre 581DR extra-thin self-winding movement with tourbillon

Secret de la Reine
One of the most beautiful ladies timepieces at Baselworld is the Secret de la Reine. Hidden beneath the hand-carved shell cameo is a brilliant pavé dial. Adding to the elegance of this exquisite timepiece is its beautiful bracelet. Breguet describes the bracelet as a, “cloth of gold imitating the loops of a pleated ribbon.” The bracelet is both gorgeous and comfortable as it drapes on the wrist. Available in white or rose gold, the timepiece is fitted with the Calibre 586 automatic movement with silicon balance spring.

Secret de la Reine

Calibre 586 self-winding movement with silicon balance spring

Les Volants de la Reine
Inspired by the dresses worn by Breguet’s first female client, Queen Marie-Antoinette, Les Volants de la Reine is an elegant jewellery watch with complex forms. The case evokes 18th century frills and ruffed lace, with precious stones that resemble flowing fabrics and bows.

The 18-carat white gold case measures 33mm x 25 mm and is set with 146 brilliant-cut diamonds (~2,848 cts). The flange is set with 66 brilliant-cut diamonds (~0,132 ct). The frills are set with 193 brilliant-cut diamonds (~1,07 ct), 11 baguette diamonds (~0,35 ct) and two cushion-cut sapphires (~0,59 ct). The crown set with a briolette diamond (~0,28 ct). Attachment paved with a frosting of 61 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0,478 ct).

The sapphire crystal display back reveals a beautifully finished Calibre 586 self-winding movement.

Les Volants de la Reine

Calibre 586 self-winding movement with silicon balance spring

Breguet Classique Dame 9068
The Classique Dame 9068 is a simple, thin watch that indicates the hours, minutes, seconds and date. The engine-turned dial is framed by an 18-carat gold case that measures 33.5mm in diameter. The bezel and lugs are gem-set with diamond. Available in white or rose gold, the timepiece is fitted with the Calibre 591A automatic movement with silicon balance spring.

Breguet Classique Dame 9068

Calibre 591A self-winding movement with silicon balance spring

Reine de Naples Princesse 8968
The Reine de Naples Princesse 8968 updates the Reine de Naples collection with a modern and stylized engine-turned dial. The 18-carat gold dial is available in either a silvered finish (shown) or an anthracite finish. The 18-carat gold egg shape case is curved to fit comfortably on the wrist. The timepiece is fitted with the Calibre 591C self-winding movement with silicon balance spring.

Reine de Naples Princesse 8968 with silvered dial

Calibre 591C self-winding movement with silicon balance spring

See also Breguet Forum Live Photos: Breguet at Baselworld 2014
Photos: Paul Boutros